A TOWN hall has been accused of “taking the biscuit” for insisting all its food comes with packaging – so people can read the ingredients.

The council will have to display biscuit ingredients at their meetings

The council is adopting an EU policy making food labelling compulsory at all its meetings.

The ruling means if anyone is so much as offered a biscuit by Bodmin Town Council, Cornwall, they will be inundated with information on ingredients, including language translations.

Staff are now instructed to place packaging next to food served on its premises, so people can read what’s in it.

It is important staff are aware of the composition of food provided for councillors and the public

Paul O’Callaghan

Where necessary, employees have also been instructed to make enlarged photocopies of packaging for a better view of possible allergens.

The council’s clerk Paul O’Callaghan said: “It is important staff are aware of the composition of food provided for councillors and the public attending council meetings and civic functions so those with allergies and intolerances can make informed decisions.”

But former councillor Phil Kerridge, who resigned after claiming the council was bogged down by bureaucracy, said it “took the biscuit”.